Vermicomposting
is a system for turning food waste into potting soil with the help of
worms.

What
do I need?

An aerated container

Bedding such as
shredded newspaper

Moisture and proper
temperature

Small amount of
soil

Redworms (Eisenia
fetida)

What do I do?

Bury your organic
kitchen waste in the worm bin. Bacteria and other organisms break it
down and worms eat the food waste, bedding, and bacteria. They turn
it all into humus--nutrient-rich food for growing healthy plants

Doesn't it smell?

Odor is minimal
if you don't overload the system. Worms in a 16"x19"x12"
bin can process 2-3 pounds of garbage a week. Capacity of a 20"
x 24" x 12" bin is up to 5 pounds of garbage a week.

How long before
I have worm castings to feed my plants?

Plan on about six
months from the time you set up your bin. You will bury garbage every
week. As the worms process the garbage and bedding, the contents of
the bin will turn dark brown. You can then harvest the vermicompost
(compost produced through the action of worms) in a variety of ways
to use on your plants and in your garden.

Do I have to keep
buying new worms?

If you treat them
right they will reproduce. You will find cocoons in your bin from which
baby worms will hatch. After several months, you may have twice as many
worms. You can use them to go fishing, or help a neighbor set up a bin,
or just leave them in your bin. Overpopulation will not be a problem.

Do people really
DO this?

Worm composting
is becoming more and more popular. It is the only way to recycle on-site,
in your own home. You place food waste in your worm bin. The worms turn
it into plant food. You use the plant food to grow vegetables in your
garden, or attractive flowers to delight your senses. If you compost
your garbage with worms, you help the environment.